Post by Forever Motown on Jul 1, 2009 12:43:33 GMT -5
June 25, 2009
Michael Jackson Obituary
Musical phenomenon and pop culture icon, Michael Jackson died June 25, 2009 from a cardiac arrest. Born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana, Jackson first took the stage at age five when he joined his four older brothers – Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine and Tito – to form the mega-successful Jackson 5.
As part of the Jackson 5, Michael soon took center stage which propelled him into a solo career that began with “Off the Wall” in 1979 which spawned such hits as Rock With You and Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough. However, Jackson reached true superstar status when he reteamed with Quincy Jones on his second solo album, the blockbuster Thriller which was released in 1982.
Still the highest-selling album of all time, Thriller saw a seeming endless-stream of number hits including Billie Jean, Beat It and more. Released at the dawn of MTV, Michael Jackson is often credited with being the first African-American artist to be played on the network. It was his genre-busting short form platform-form breaking video for Thriller that made Jackson a pop culture titan.
In 1987, Jackson released Bad to big success, as well as Dangerous in 1991, but neither reached the same level of success.
Likewise, Jackson’s fame also suffered in the late 80’s and early 90’s from a changing music scene and the dominance of hip-hop. Most damaging were allegations of sexual abuse of children visiting his Neverland ranch. Though ultimately acquitted of charges, the stigma followed Jackson. Compounding his problems was his radically changing image, which many attributed to everything to plastic surgery to the pigment disorder vitiligo. Jackson married twice, once to Lisa Presley and again to Debbie Rowe. He also fathered three children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II.
Most recently, Michael Jackson was preparing for a 30 date world tour.
Michael Jackson Obituary
Musical phenomenon and pop culture icon, Michael Jackson died June 25, 2009 from a cardiac arrest. Born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana, Jackson first took the stage at age five when he joined his four older brothers – Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine and Tito – to form the mega-successful Jackson 5.
As part of the Jackson 5, Michael soon took center stage which propelled him into a solo career that began with “Off the Wall” in 1979 which spawned such hits as Rock With You and Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough. However, Jackson reached true superstar status when he reteamed with Quincy Jones on his second solo album, the blockbuster Thriller which was released in 1982.
Still the highest-selling album of all time, Thriller saw a seeming endless-stream of number hits including Billie Jean, Beat It and more. Released at the dawn of MTV, Michael Jackson is often credited with being the first African-American artist to be played on the network. It was his genre-busting short form platform-form breaking video for Thriller that made Jackson a pop culture titan.
In 1987, Jackson released Bad to big success, as well as Dangerous in 1991, but neither reached the same level of success.
Likewise, Jackson’s fame also suffered in the late 80’s and early 90’s from a changing music scene and the dominance of hip-hop. Most damaging were allegations of sexual abuse of children visiting his Neverland ranch. Though ultimately acquitted of charges, the stigma followed Jackson. Compounding his problems was his radically changing image, which many attributed to everything to plastic surgery to the pigment disorder vitiligo. Jackson married twice, once to Lisa Presley and again to Debbie Rowe. He also fathered three children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II.
Most recently, Michael Jackson was preparing for a 30 date world tour.